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I asked this question in the last post, but instead of responding a hundred times over, I must say...
NOT ENOUGH!
Having talked to sources close to this with quite a few teams, here is what it will take to start a conversation.
1. A #1 or #2 Defenseman (obviously)
2. A top 6 forward
3. A blue chip prospect
So in the case of Montreal, something along the lines of: Markov, Plekanec, and Subban.
From what I am hearing, that is what it will take to make these talks serious.
I keep hearing many of you Habs fans out there saying that there is "no way we trade Markov or Komisarek." Really? Ok, now this is no slight on either of those two great players in any way, shape or form. Both All-stars. Both legit top line D. However, some perspective may be needed. I talked to an older (sorry aging) retired GM about this and he put it perfectly.
"You need to be comfortable that ten years from now when someone asks you why you didn't trade for Vinny LeCavalier, you can look them straight in the eye with confidence and say, 'Because I didn't want to give up Markov or Komisarek.'"
I think that sums it up perfectly. Opportunities like this one call for a much greater perspective.
Principle is for the birds. Remember it was Calgary not willing to give Doug Gilmour 1 million dollars......and you Flames fans can finish that sentence!
Talking to my sources however, as of this writing, there have still been no offers made to the Lightning...I was curious if this was a distraction to the team, so I dug around a bit and found that the Bolts are surprisingly focused. "We are just kind of laughing at all the press this is getting in Canada. We are playing better and focused on the Flyers tonight. Vinny is absolutely fine and playing the best hockey he has played all season. Ready to go."
That no official offer has been made is not surprising, however. It is clearly been my experience in trades (especially of this magnitude) that teams deliberate and then strike. Also if there are any talks, it is between mediating third parties for obvious reasons. These are big names we are talking about now and it is clear that no team wants their players to be aware of the fact that they are being included in a giant media circus trade as this could become.
It is imperative that the negotiations that occur here, occur quickly to all the teams involved so as not to leave a black mark on the current rosters' momentum.
*As an aside, as Jon Jordan first reported, Vinny was paid the 500k that was owed to him by the Lightning. This is not a big deal, but has to be noted given the fact that so many have tried to imply that the Lightning would not be able to pay this sum. Those reports were clearly erroneous as have many that have tried to paint the Lightning as a team on the brink.
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